Most people know it as the “Citywide,” and over the years, there have been many imitations and iterations. But at Bob and Barbara’s Lounge on South Street, a shot of Jim Beam bourbon and a 12 oz. can of Pabst Blue Ribbon lager essentially goes by one name: “the special.” Where did this legendary bar come up with the idea for such an iconic pairing? How have they managed to keep the cost ($4) down for all these years? And, in the aftermath of the pandemic and inflation, could the price soon be changing? The Jawncast’s Brian Seltzer pops into Bob and Barbara’s to learn more about the history and future of Philadelphia’s unofficial drink.

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If you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan, you know one thing: you HATE the Dallas Cowboys. Even if you don’t follow football but you live in Philly, you might have a negative impression of Dallas without knowing why. As the Eagles and the Cowboys gear up to face each other on Christmas Eve, we teamed up with the Texas Wants to Know podcast to see if we can get to the bottom of this rivalry. When did it start, how did it get so intense, and is there any world where we could get along? How much of what we think about each others’ cities is true, and what’s just a false impression?

If you find yourself liking Dallas after listening to this, you can hear more of Texas Wants to Know here, on the Audacy app, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images.

What’s the toughest part about being a podcast about interesting and unique stories in Philadelphia? It’s impossible for us to cover every single one! As 2022 comes to a close, Sabrina Boyd-Surka and Brian Seltzer look back on a handful of their favorite stories that didn’t make the podcast, from an unconventional emotional support animal to an absolutely insane gastrointestinal achievement. Join us as we turn back the clock a bit, and revisit some of the wacky, wonderful, and weird that Philly had to offer this past year!

CREDITS
Documenting Philly
NBC
KNX
Ty Lohr

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It’s rare to see a Black or brown ballerina on stage, but not at Philadelphia’s Chocolate Ballerina Company, where all the dancers are people of color. They’re performing their own take on a holiday classic this month - “The Nutcracker: Dipped in Chocolate." Sabrina Boyd-Surka sat in on a rehearsal to find out how they put their own twist on the story and why it means so much to young dancers of color to have a group like this, where they can see people who look like them on stage and feel at home.

Tickets and more info about the Chocolate Ballerinas are at chocolateballerinacompany.com.

Check out behind-the-scenes photos of their rehearsal here.

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Alex Du is Vietnamese and was raised Buddhist. So how in the heck did the 45-year old real estate investor end up becoming the de facto ringleader for one of Philadelphia’s most iconic Christmastime traditions? Each year, during the winter holiday season, the 1600 block of South 13th Street, where Alex and his family have lived for decades, turns into an electric and eclectic display of seasonal cheer. Lights are everywhere - suspended in air across the street from house to house, along rooflines, wrapped around trees and lampposts. Join Brian Seltzer as he heads to the annual Miracle on South 13th Street kick-off block party to talk to Alex and his neighbors about the origins of this spectacle, and how the South Philadelphia community has kept it going. 

Check out the Miracle on South 13th Street's Facebook page here.

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Daniel McClellan was a pioneer, pitching the first perfect game of record in the Negro Leagues. How, then, is it possible that his grave went unmarked for more than half a century? This is a question Brian Seltzer answers on a visit to Eden Cemetery in Delaware County, where McClellan is buried. We also learn about the history of Eden itself, the factors that contributed to it becoming the first Black-owned public cemetery in the United States, and what Eden can teach us about the inherent obstacles of African-American genealogy. 

Here are some links we referenced in the episode:

Eden Cemetery

African-American Genealogy Group resources

Thanks to our guests:

Hakeem Thomas Sr. 

Dean Henry

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In 1968, 19-year-old Michael Crescenz left his parents and 5 brothers to fight in Vietnam. He never made it home - instead he gave his life to save his fellow soldiers. Michael was the only Vietnam veteran from Philadelphia to receive a Medal of Honor, but his story represents countless others who died in battle with no one left to tell their stories. Sabrina Boyd-Surka talks with Michael’s brother and fellow veterans about his life, his legacy, and how a whole generation had their lives shaped by this war.

You can get a copy of Michael’s biography here: “No Greater Love: The Story of Michael Crescenz, Philadelphia's Only Medal of Honor Recipient of the Vietnam War” by John A Siegfried and Kevin Ferris.
Photo by Patrick Hughes.
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When Philadelphia sports teams win big and fans celebrate in the streets, you're going to see people trying to climb poles. Street light poles, sign poles, traffic light poles, it really doesn't matter. Even the city greasing the poles downtown doesn’t stop people. In fact, the tradition of climbing a greased pole in Philadelphia goes beyond the Phillies and the Eagles - there’s been an annual competition in the Italian Market for decades. With the Phillies in the World Series and fans going wild, Sabrina Boyd-Surka and KYW Newsradio reporter Nina Baratti talk with the folks behind South Philly’s grease pole competition about where this form of celebration came from, plus some strategies for both greasing and climbing a pole.

Check out Nina’s story on Philly’s greased pole traditions, and watch a 10-minute documentary on the grease pole by Richard Cordisio.

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One woman is looking to overcome mental health issues that have troubled her for years. Another wants patients and clinicians alike to better understand a progressive approach to treatment. As Brian Seltzer reports, ketamine is the connection for Marie and Dr. Sophia Brandstetter, the founder of the Ko-Op, a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy clinic in Graduate Hospital. Hear how both hope the powerful, yet somewhat controversial, substance with psychedelic properties helps them on their respective personal and professional journeys.

To read more about the Ko-Op, visit the clinic's website, which has information for both patients and clinicians.

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(Photo: Mike Prince, Peter Breslow Consulting & PR)

Mia Ormes had an idea to deliver healthy, plant-based soups and stews to new moms. But starting a business on her own was an overwhelming challenge. So she applied for Drexel Food Lab’s Good Food Accelerator Program, where she worked with students to develop her recipes and get her business, Tribu, off the ground. Sabrina Boyd-Surka talked with Mia and visited the Food Lab to see what goes into food research and building a local, small business.

You can learn more about Tribu or order a meal at mealsbytribu.com, or visit Mia at the Clark Park Farmers Market on Nov. 15, Nov. 19, Dec. 3, and Dec. 17. 

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